Tues., Jan. 31, 2012, 5-7pm, Real Rural Launch PartyCalifornia Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, SFThe Bill Lane Center for the American West and Roots of Change are proud to announce the launch of journalist and photographer Lisa Hamilton's innovative multimedia project "Real Rural" — bringing California's rural life to the state's urban public. Hamilton's portraits of people and places, along with surprising, provocative quotes from the subjects, will be featured on BART trains throughout the Bay Area beginning in late January, and on an interactive web site. The California Historical Society will mount a related exhibition this fall of Hamilton's photographs shown in conjunction with relevant materials from the California Historical Society's vast collection. See a preview of the project and meet Lisa Hamilton. RSVP to rsvp@calhist.org or 415.357.1848, ext. 229.http://californiahistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

Wed., Feb. 1, 2012, 6:30-9 pm, Chinese Medicinal Herb Farms in the U.S.ACTCM, 555 De Haro Street, Room H, SFACTCM hosts Peggy Schafer of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm in Petaluma, CA and Jean Giblette of High Falls Gardens in Philmont, NY. The evening will begin with a social and reception. Then Peggy and Jean will share information regarding their efforts to support the growth of Chinese medicinal herbs here in the United States. Peggy will also share information about her new book, The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A Cultivator’s Guide to Small-Scale Organic Herb Production, which includes 79 detailed herb profiles, growing information, and medicinal use. The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm is the first cultivation guide of its kind, and presents invaluable information for growers interested in producing high-quality efficacious herbs in all climates of the United States, with the historical connectedness of ancient practitioners. Please RSVP to leeswain@actcm.edu http://www.actcm.edu/events_detail.php?topmenu=5&root=5&id=776&eventsid=127

Sun., Feb. 5, 2012, 1 pm Bees and FlowersCalifornia Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park, SFPollinators like bees are a crucial link in ecosystems and agriculture around the world, allowing flowering plants—from roses and sunflowers to cotton and strawberries—to reproduce year after year. Bees, who depend on these plants for nectar, communicate the locations of flowers to each other with dances. In this fun, interactive program, discover how these pollination partners help one another, and perform a bee-dance of your very own.http://www.calacademy.org/events/

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About Us:

The Free Farm is an urban farm founded in January 2010, by a constellation of non-profit organizations in San Francisco.We are located on a 1/3 acre lot on the corner of Gough and Eddy Streets on a parcel loaned to us by St. Paulus Lutheran Church. Since April of 2010 we have grown and given away over 3 1/4 tons of fresh organic produce, plus convened gardening and urban homesteading workshops, and hosted community, school, and religious groups.

Come by on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm or the first Sunday of the month from 10am - noon, to visit the farm or lend a hand.